TALK SHOW HOST VOWS TO FILE SUIT (December 16, 1987)

The world of South Florida talk radio took a bizarre turn Tuesday when host Steve Kane accused competitor Al Rantel of slander and said he would sue for $2.75 million.

The suit will charge that Rantel allegedly allowed a caller on a show last week to slander Kane and that Rantel repeated the slander during two shows.

The suit will also charge that Rantel allegedly attacked Kane’s truthfulness, stated that Kane demands free meals from restaurant sponsors and that he takes bribes in exchange for radio publicity.

”I’ve got thick skin, but this stuff is beyond the pale. He is accusing me of illegalities,” Kane said.

The two longtime South Florida broadcasters are fierce competitors for the afternoon drive-time audience. Rantel has a 3 to 7 p.m. show on WNWS (790-AM) while Kane has the 2 to 6 p.m. spot on WIOD (610-AM).

Rantel declined to comment until he saw a written version of the complaint.

Kane announced his suit Tuesday. His attorney, Mark Rubin, said that because prior notification is required before filing a slander suit, WNWS was informed of the pending action in writing Monday.

After WNWS was told of the suit, Rantel went on the air and said he could no longer talk about Kane. But he encouraged callers to phone him after the show.

Kane and Rantel worked together at WNWS, until Kane switched to WIOD last summer. Caption: PHOTOS (2, one mug each of Steve Kane and Al Rantel)